Realtà Fusion Selects Former Oscar Mayer Site for New Fusion Research Facility

Fusion energy startup Realtà Fusion has chosen a former Oscar Mayer manufacturing facility in Madison, Wisconsin, as the site of its new research and development centre, marking a significant step in the company’s efforts to advance commercial fusion technology. The new facility, known as Forge, is expected to generate its first plasma in 2029 and will support the company’s ongoing work on fusion power systems.

The Madison location was selected after a two-year search for a suitable site. According to co-founder and chief executive officer Kieran Furlong, the former food production facility offered several practical advantages, including substantial existing electrical infrastructure and proximity to the company’s current headquarters. Furlong also cited strong bipartisan support from Wisconsin’s state government as an important factor in the decision to remain in the state.

Realtà Fusion recently demonstrated technology capable of converting energy from fusion reactions directly into electricity, a development the company believes could simplify the path toward future commercial fusion power plants. The Forge facility will play a central role in advancing that research as the company continues developing its fusion systems.

Wisconsin has increasingly positioned itself as a supporter of the fusion energy industry. Realtà Fusion expects to receive an estimated $55 million in incentives from the state and the City of Madison. The largest portion comes from a sales tax exemption for the fusion industry that was signed into law in April, a measure expected to save the company approximately $37.5 million. Additional support includes $15 million in enterprise zone tax credits from the state and about $2.8 million in tax increment financing from the city.

The company also benefits from longstanding ties to the region. Realtà Fusion was spun out of research conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which continues to produce graduates specialising in plasma physics. Another fusion company, Shine, also operates nearby, contributing to a growing regional ecosystem focused on fusion research and development.

The decision to remain in Wisconsin stands out because many fusion startups have established operations near U.S. national laboratories or in coastal technology hubs. Another Wisconsin-founded company, Type One Energy, relocated its headquarters to Tennessee in 2024. Furlong said remaining in Wisconsin offered advantages beyond financial incentives, including direct support from state leaders committed to expanding the local fusion industry.

Fusion energy investment has accelerated as electricity demand continues to grow alongside broader electrification and the expansion of artificial intelligence data centres. According to the source material, fusion startups have raised more than $1.5 billion this year, reflecting increasing investor confidence in technologies aimed at producing commercial fusion power.

Realtà Fusion said it expects Forge to become a cornerstone of its long-term research efforts and to strengthen Wisconsin’s position as an emerging hub for fusion energy development.